This area gives you tips for quickly getting started with your account on Writing.Com. Think of this as your jump start for getting your work and presence online. The more you learn about this vast, exciting website, the more fun you will ultimately have each time you log in. (For complete information, please look over "Writing.Com 101" ). Choose a topic below to get started.

Explore Your Portfolio:TOP
Your Portfolio is your homebase or work area within the site. From this area, you may create new items, edit or delete existing ones, organize your work, set up your biography, view information regarding your membership, and much more. (For complete information, read: Overview of Your Portfolio.)

How Do I?:

Click Portfolio/Portfolio in the left column to open your main portfolio tab. To explore your portfolio and become familiar with your personal tools, click on the various tabs at the top of your portfolio. Some tabs are linked in a drop-down menu at the right end. Within each tab, click the gear icons, the links at the upper left and the links elsewhere on the page. In the left column, click Portfolio to open the submenu which contains links to additional areas and tools in your portfolio.

Set Up Your BioBlock and Biography:TOP
Your BioBlock and Biography are the welcome mat that you lay out for the visitors to your portfolio. Welcome your readers with a brief introduction about yourself, your writing or what makes you tick. (For complete information, read: "Portfolio" Tab and Biography Tab.)

How Do I?:

BioBlock Click Portfolio/Portfolio in the left column. Click the gear icon at the upper right to open the Manage Portfolio Header area within your Portfolio tab. Read the details and rules regarding your BioBlock. Clicking on the 13+ opens the explanation of the Content Rating System. Fill in your information. Click Submit Update.

Biography Click Portfolio/Biography in the left column. Click the gear icon at the upper right to open the Manage Biography Header area within your Biography tab. Fill in the information you choose to share. Headings are not shown for blank text boxes or drop-menus without a selection. Click Submit Biography.

Set Up Your Signature Block:TOP
A Signature is text that automatically shows up in your emails, forum posts and Book/Blog entries. This is a convenient way to leave an impression on those members with whom you're conversing. (For complete information, read: My Account.)

NOTE: To check for mistakes and preview what will show up in your signature, follow the directions at the bottom of the form.

Create Your First Item:TOP
To add your writing to your portfolio, you need to create an Item. Item Types and Their Uses describes the 20+ different item types available; choose the best type for your particular writing purpose. On that page you can click the name of the item type to open a more detailed description which links to a tutorial on how to create/edit that type of item. Once you become familiar with the various item types on Writing.Com, you will no longer need to check the list of descriptions.

How Do I?:

Click "Create New Item" in the left column. Choose the item type that best fits the writing you want to post. (Our most popular is the Static Item.) The item creation pages are designed to be intuitive and streamlined. Help information is linked with greyed icons. Grey text labels in the text boxes identify what to type where. Click in a text box to display its character counter. The grey label text disappears when you start to type. Drop-down menus display grey text labels or a default value when such exists. Open a drop-down menu that shows a default value to see the label on the top line. Choose an option and the menu option text turns black. Click the + labels to open more options. If you need more detailed directions and information, please see the help links at the top right of the create page, which include a tutorial for creating that item type. When you are finished filling in the information, click one of the Save buttons at the bottom. To view your item [if you did not choose Save and View], click on its link on the Save results page or click Portfolio/Portfolio. You will find your item listed in your Portfolio tab.

NOTE: The Create Item button under your Portfolio tab also opens the drop-down area showing the entire list of item-type create links.

Click My Account/Account Settings in the left column to open your Settings tab in your Account page. Under Account Settings, click on the various subsections. Read the details about the available preference settings. Choose your preferred setting for each. To store your choices, click Submit Changes.

Say Hello & Introduce Yourself:TOP
Don't be shy; step up and introduce yourself to the community. We know you might feel a bit nervous, but we're happy you've found your way here and can't wait to hear from you! Don't be bashful; there are many members to meet and friends to be made. (Read: New Members -- Our Newbies.)

How Do I?:

After you have filled out your BioBlock and Biography within your portfolio, you should step out into the community and mingle. The quickest way to introduce yourself to everyone is to post a hello in your Notebook tab within your portfolio. Anything you put your Notebook will show up on the Community Newsfeed, which is linked under Community at the left, and which is accessible to all site members. (Read: ""Notebook" Tab" and "Newsfeed" )

Open Instant Message Console:TOP
The Writing.Com IM System is a quick way to get in touch with other members who are online and a great way to view and/or participate in some of the site chatter. (For more info, read: Instant Message Console.)

How Do I?:

In the left column, click Messenger to open the IM Console in a pop-up window. The top part lists members who are online and shows whether they are available for IM. The bottom part is Scrolling Messages, a real-time way to chat with other members.

NOTE: Any member may view and follow along with the chatter in Scrolling Messages. In order to participate, though, you must have an Upgraded Membership (see: Free and Paid Membership Benefits).

Subscribe to Newsletters:TOP
Writing.Com Newsletters are a great resource for members. These newsletters are sent out on a weekly basis via email and are also available in the Newsletter Archive. Our newsletters cover a variety of topics, including Romance, Horror, Short Stories, and Contests. (For more info, read: Writing.Com Newsletters.)